Mavericks Ends Losing Streak
Date: 30th Aug 2008
Venue: Tampines Lousy Field
(actually all fields in Tampines are lousy and.. overpriced!)
Opponents: Team Clarence
Kick off: 3pm
Starting line-up: Alex, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Faizy, Chin Yuen, Chung Wei, Barry, Perry, Darran, Amir, Eric.
Substitutes: Wei Jie, Clement, Seng Yew, Chris, Randy, Wei Long
FT Score: 2-1 (HT Score: 1-0)
Goals: Darran ('33), Amir ('80)
Assists: Amir, Perry
MOM: Perry
Mavericks FC were given a rather raucous welcome by the home support at the expensive Tamp-ford Bridge Stadium as the team made their way out of the tunnel. The rain-soaked pitch greeted the team as the Outsiders fielded several new faces in their first eleven, after a flurry of last minute signings as the Board of Directors look to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes at midnight tonight.
The new signings, all of whom passed their medicals merely hours before match kick-off could not have wished for a better debut as they ensured that the Outsiders' recent bad run of form ended with a battling 2-1 victory away from home against relatively tenacious opposition.
Chung Wei was his usual self as he brutalised the opposition with his Jedi-force powers upfront, with new centre-midfield combination of Barry and Perry making short work of the men in orange (and a multitude of other coloured jerseys) with their brilliant passes and hassling. A brilliant threaded ball over-the-top from Parry found Amir onside, but his shot was well blocked by the keeper.
However, the winger made amends as he got past the full-back midway through the first-half, before playing an overhead kick cross-shot, which fell nicely into the path of the onrushing Darran who places it past the keeper to make it 1-0.
The Mavericks defence held on well, with Faizy and Jiun Wei at the heart of defence, and Chao Xing and makeshift right-back Chin Yuen having relatively comfortable games down either flanks. Speedy Eric made a telling contribution as he sped past 2 players after an interchange of passes with Chung Wei, only to see his shot drift wide of the post.
By now the Mavericks midfield were in control of the match, with the Barry/Perry combination doing exceptionally well. The Outsiders held on to their lead as Charles II the referee blew for half-time.
The second half saw the introduction of Wei Jie, Clement, Seng Yew, Chris, Randy and Wei Long into the fray. This mass substitution brought higher hopes of maintaining a clean sheet which the first half players have kept as well as the new strike partnership of the returning Randy and Wei Long.
However to no avail, a through ball managed to elude the back four somehow and Team Clarence's forward made no mistake in slotting past Alex, for the equaliser. 1-1.
Mavericks were not about to give up and went in search of another goal when a cross was almost converted from an attack from the left wing. The header went wastefully inches wide.
Team Clarence's resistance was finally broken when a superb Scholes-like long ball from Perry to the left wing found Amir in space, who hesitates no further and let rip a snap-shot half-volley which put the Mavericks in the lead again. 2-1.
The opposition resumed in determined fashion to grab another equaliser, relying on antics to get free kicks near the box on many occasions. If Mediacorp scouts were watching, they would surely poach some of them to act in the upcoming new Season of Crimewatch.
Their cries for fouls paid off when a player bulldozed into Wei Jie, claiming a free kick, which the referee bought into, just outside on the left-side of the box. Good ah.
The free-kick was well-taken (let's give them credit for this) which flew past Alex. Some of their players were already half-celebrating. However, an on-the-line clearance by Eric saved Mavericks blushes. Luck was definitely on Mavericks' side as on normal days they would've conceded like they always had on set pieces. Oh, and veteran centre-back Chuan Ji made a cameo appearance at the full time whistle as he had earlier missed the team bus.
Mavericks will be hoping to maintain their performance in the upcoming match after the win, which ended a 4 match winless streak.
Venue: Tampines Lousy Field
(actually all fields in Tampines are lousy and.. overpriced!)
Opponents: Team Clarence
Kick off: 3pm
Starting line-up: Alex, Chao Xing, Jiun Wei, Faizy, Chin Yuen, Chung Wei, Barry, Perry, Darran, Amir, Eric.
Substitutes: Wei Jie, Clement, Seng Yew, Chris, Randy, Wei Long
FT Score: 2-1 (HT Score: 1-0)
Goals: Darran ('33), Amir ('80)
Assists: Amir, Perry
MOM: Perry
Mavericks FC were given a rather raucous welcome by the home support at the expensive Tamp-ford Bridge Stadium as the team made their way out of the tunnel. The rain-soaked pitch greeted the team as the Outsiders fielded several new faces in their first eleven, after a flurry of last minute signings as the Board of Directors look to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes at midnight tonight.
The new signings, all of whom passed their medicals merely hours before match kick-off could not have wished for a better debut as they ensured that the Outsiders' recent bad run of form ended with a battling 2-1 victory away from home against relatively tenacious opposition.
Chung Wei was his usual self as he brutalised the opposition with his Jedi-force powers upfront, with new centre-midfield combination of Barry and Perry making short work of the men in orange (and a multitude of other coloured jerseys) with their brilliant passes and hassling. A brilliant threaded ball over-the-top from Parry found Amir onside, but his shot was well blocked by the keeper.
However, the winger made amends as he got past the full-back midway through the first-half, before playing an overhead kick cross-shot, which fell nicely into the path of the onrushing Darran who places it past the keeper to make it 1-0.
The Mavericks defence held on well, with Faizy and Jiun Wei at the heart of defence, and Chao Xing and makeshift right-back Chin Yuen having relatively comfortable games down either flanks. Speedy Eric made a telling contribution as he sped past 2 players after an interchange of passes with Chung Wei, only to see his shot drift wide of the post.
By now the Mavericks midfield were in control of the match, with the Barry/Perry combination doing exceptionally well. The Outsiders held on to their lead as Charles II the referee blew for half-time.
The second half saw the introduction of Wei Jie, Clement, Seng Yew, Chris, Randy and Wei Long into the fray. This mass substitution brought higher hopes of maintaining a clean sheet which the first half players have kept as well as the new strike partnership of the returning Randy and Wei Long.
However to no avail, a through ball managed to elude the back four somehow and Team Clarence's forward made no mistake in slotting past Alex, for the equaliser. 1-1.
Mavericks were not about to give up and went in search of another goal when a cross was almost converted from an attack from the left wing. The header went wastefully inches wide.
Team Clarence's resistance was finally broken when a superb Scholes-like long ball from Perry to the left wing found Amir in space, who hesitates no further and let rip a snap-shot half-volley which put the Mavericks in the lead again. 2-1.
The opposition resumed in determined fashion to grab another equaliser, relying on antics to get free kicks near the box on many occasions. If Mediacorp scouts were watching, they would surely poach some of them to act in the upcoming new Season of Crimewatch.
Their cries for fouls paid off when a player bulldozed into Wei Jie, claiming a free kick, which the referee bought into, just outside on the left-side of the box. Good ah.
The free-kick was well-taken (let's give them credit for this) which flew past Alex. Some of their players were already half-celebrating. However, an on-the-line clearance by Eric saved Mavericks blushes. Luck was definitely on Mavericks' side as on normal days they would've conceded like they always had on set pieces. Oh, and veteran centre-back Chuan Ji made a cameo appearance at the full time whistle as he had earlier missed the team bus.
Mavericks will be hoping to maintain their performance in the upcoming match after the win, which ended a 4 match winless streak.
posted by The Outsider at
6:28 PM
